11 LA Museums That Sum Up the City of Angels

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Los Angeles museums, mapped

Getty Center

The Getty Center is one of the most popular Los Angeles museums. Located in Brentwood, the museum features a collection of European and American art from the Middle Ages to the present day. The museum also houses an impressive outdoor sculpture garden, an extensive research library, and a conservation studio where visitors can observe works that are being restored. Additionally, there are interactive tours, educational programs, and film screenings that bring history to life for visitors of all ages.

Hours: Closed Mon, 10 AM-5:30 PM Tues-Fri, 10 AM-8 PM Sat, 10 AM-5:30 PM Sun

Cost: Free timed-entry admission

Address: 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049

Griffith Observatory

The Griffith Observatory is a public observatory, planetarium, and astronomy museum in Los Angeles. In addition to taking in the city views from the observatory in Griffith Park, visitors can view celestial phenomena through advanced telescopes or take a guided tour of the night sky with expert astronomers. The observatory also has several interactive exhibits that dive deep into astronomy and space exploration, as well as a theater that screens educational films.

Hours: Closed Mon, noon-10 PM Tues-Fri, 10 AM-10 PM Sat-Sun

Cost: Free

Address: 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is the biggest art museum on the West Coast. Founded in 1965, it houses more than 150,000 works of art from around the world. LACMA’s permanent collection includes contemporary art, photography, and works from ancient civilizations such as Greece, Egypt, and Rome to modern masters like Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock. The museum also presents rotating exhibitions that explore topics such as architecture, fashion, and film, as well as special collections that range in themes from international design to pop culture.

Hours: 11:00 AM-6 PM Mon-Tues, closed Weds, 11:00 AM-6 PM Thurs, 11:00 AM-8 PM Fri, 10 AM-7 PM Sat-Sun

Cost: LA County residents: $20 for adults, $16 for seniors and students, free for everyone else; non-LA County residents: $25 for adults, $21 for seniors and students, $10 ages three to 17, free for youth two and under

Address: 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is an LA museum dedicated to the history and art of movies and moviemaking. It’s the world’s first museum devoted solely to the art and science of cinema. Inside the museum, visitors can explore interactive exhibits about the film-making process, including writing, acting, filming, editing, and music. Rotating exhibitions showcase different facets of film history, and the museum houses an extensive archive of artifacts, from costumes and props to memorabilia from iconic films. Appropriately, screenings are part of the museum’s educational programming, along with workshops and more.

Hours: 10 AM-6 PM Sun-Thurs, 10 AM-8 PM Fri-Sat

Cost: $25 for adults, $19 for seniors, $15 for students ages 18 and up, free for visitors ages 17 and under, members, and CA EBT cardholders

Address: 6067 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

La Brea Tar Pits and Museum

The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum is a unique natural history museum located in the heart of Los Angeles. Established in 1913, it features the world’s only active Ice Age fossil excavation site. Visitors can observe the tar pits, including tar pits filled with trapped animals from 10,000 years ago. Additionally, visitors can explore indoor galleries with over one million fossils and ancient artifacts chronicling California’s natural history, plus life-size reconstructions of prehistoric animals. The museum also features interactive displays and offers educational programs throughout the year to teach visitors about science and archeology.

Hours: 9:30 AM-5 PM daily

Cost: $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students ages 13-17, $7 for children ages 3-12, free for children two and under, NHMLAC members, CA EBT cardholders, CA teachers, active or retired US military, and LA County residents between residents from 3 PM-5 PM Mon-Fri

Address: 5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is a museum dedicated to the history and science of nature. Founded in 1913, it houses more than 35 million specimens from all over the world across its 40 galleries. Visitors can explore interactive exhibitions about evolution, geology, paleontology, and many other topics. In addition, the museum offers educational programs such as lectures, field trips, and workshops that promote scientific literacy. It has also hosted traveling exhibitions on topics ranging from dinosaurs to climate change.

Hours: 9:30 AM-5 PM daily

Cost: $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students ages 13-17, $7 for children ages 3-12, free for children two and under, NHMLAC members, CA EBT cardholders, CA teachers, active or retired US military, and LA County residents between residents from 3 PM-5 PM Mon-Fri

Address: 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007

Museum of Contemporary Art

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles (MOCA) has two locations in Los Angeles: the main venue on Grand Avenue and the Geffen Contemporary. The true must-see, MOCA Grand Avenue displays contemporary art from 1950 to the present, featuring works from artists like Andy Warhol and Mark Rothko. Interactive exhibitions focus on modern art, with topics ranging from abstract expressionism to experimental video and performance art. Rotating exhibitions showcase various facets of artistic production, be it painting, sculpture, or film.

Hours: Closed Mon, 11 AM-5 PM Tues-Weds, 11 AM-8 PM Thurs, 11 AM-5 PM Fri, 11 AM-6 PM Sat-Sun

Cost: Free general admission. Tickets for special exhibitions are $18 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, and free for children under 12 and members.

Address: 250 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

California Science Center

Located in Exposition Park, the California Science Center is an interactive science museum with four main exhibition halls, focusing on topics such as health and technology, engineering, physical sciences, and the environment. Through interactive exhibits, visitors can learn about space exploration, oceanography, and the human body. With its permanent collection and rotating exhibitions featuring artifacts from around the world, it stands as a major hub of science education in Los Angeles, including scholastic programming that promotes scientific literacy.

Hours: 10 AM-5 PM daily

Cost: Free general admission. Ticket prices vary for special exhibits, IMAX movies, and additional attractions.

Address: 700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037

Petersen Automotive Museum

Specializing in the history and culture surrounding automobiles, this fun Los Angeles museum houses more than 300 vehicles made between the late 19th century and today. Visitors can explore rare automobiles along with interactive displays detailing the evolution of technology, design, and engineering. The museum also offers educational programs such as workshops and lectures related to car restoration, maintenance, and racing. From classic cars to futuristic concepts, the Petersen Automotive Museum has something for all automobile lovers.

Hours: 10 AM-5 PM daily

Cost: $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors, $12.95 for youth ages 12-17, $10.95 for children ages 4-11, free for educators upon registration

Address: 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

The Broad

The Broad is a contemporary art museum in Los Angeles that houses comprehensive collections of postwar and contemporary art. Featuring more than 2,000 artworks from icons like Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Jeff Koons, The Broad offers visitors a unique experience to explore modern and conceptual works. Visitors can tour the galleries, take part in interactive activities, and attend talks led by internationally renowned artists.

Hours: Closed Mon, 11 AM-5 PM Tues-Weds, 11 AM-8 PM Thurs, 11 AM-5 PM Fri, 10 AM-6 PM Sat-Sun

Cost: Free

Address: 221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

GRAMMY Museum

A tribute to the GRAMMY Awards and its winners, the GRAMMY Museum celebrates the achievements of some of music’s most important figures. From theater performances to interactive exhibits, visitors can learn about musical artists, genres, and eras, and even create their own piece of music with the help of interactive instruments. The museum houses myriad GRAMMY-related artifacts, such as Michael Jackson’s iconic sequin glove.

Hours: 11 AM-5 PM Mon, closed Tues, 11 AM-5 PM Weds-Fri, 10 AM-6 PM Sat, 11 AM-5 PM Sun

Cost: $18 for adults; $15 for seniors and US military; $12 for college students, visitors ages 5-17, and member guests; free for children four and under

Address: 800 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Where to stay near the must-see Los Angeles museums

LA’s sprawl is infamous, which can make getting around without a car seem daunting. Even with a car, LA’s traffic is just as notorious. Luckily for culture-seekers, the best LA museums are generally clustered in a few different areas, so finding an accommodation in proximity to more than one is easy. We’ve outlined a few good options below.

On the other hand, you could always look for Airbnbs in LA’s trendiest neighborhoods or Los Angeles hotels with rooftop pools and killer bars, and figure out the rest when you get there.

We hope you love these accommodations near LA museums! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza

A five-minute walk from The Broad and MOCA, the Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza is a four-star hotel located in Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA). It has all the amenities you need for a perfectly comfortable stay, including a pool, spa, gym, restaurant, and bar. The hotel is also situated near other attractions like the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and it’s well-positioned for exploring other parts of the city via public transportation.

Where: 251 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA, 90012
Price per night: From $145

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Kimpton Hotel Wilshire, an IHG Hotel

The Kimpton Hotel Wilshire is located in Beverly Grove on Wilshire Boulevard, one of LA’s main drags that runs for 16 miles and connects DTLA to Santa Monica by the ocean. Combining boutique style with hotel-chain amenities, the hotel is an excellent choice for those looking to get some shopping done in LA, as well as be near the La Brea Tar Pits, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and Petersen Automotive Museum.

Where: 6317 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90048
Price per night: From $195

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W Hollywood

Hello, Hollywood. The trendiness of the W Hotels speaks for itself, as does the neighborhood where this four-stay hotel is located, with nearby attractions including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Sunset Boulevard, and the TCL Chinese and Dolby Theaters. The W Hollywood is also relatively close to the Griffith Observatory, roughly 15 minutes away by car.

Where: 6250 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028
Price per night: From $140

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